logo
The Pakistan Credit Rating Agency Limited
Press Release

Date
22-Jun-23

Analyst
Madiha Sohail
madiha.sohail@pacra.com
+92-42-35869504
www.pacra.com

Applicable Criteria

Related Research

Disclaimer
This press release is being transmitted for the sole purpose of dissemination through print/electronic media. The press release may be used in full or in part without changing the meaning or context thereof with due credit to PACRA

PACRA Assigns Initial Rating to The Hub Power Company Limited | PPSTS | PKR 6bln | May-23

Rating Type Debt Instrument
Current
(22-Jun-23 )
Action Initial
Long Term AA+
Short Term A1+
Outlook Stable
Rating Watch -

The rating reflects the holding Company character of Hubco with an exclusive focus on the different dimensions of the energy sector. The Company had signed a PPA with the government for 30 years that is valid till 2027. Hubco itself is a 1,292MW RFO based power plant situated at Mouza Kund, Hub in Balochistan. With its investment in Narowal Energy Limited, Laraib Energy Limited, China Power Hub Generation Company, Thar Energy Limited and Thal Nova Power Thar Ltd, the Group has an established footprint in the power generation sector. The total combined installed power generation capacity of Hubco was 2,921MW, which is now increased to 3,581MW. As 660MW is added to the total installed capacity of Hubco as ThalNova Power and Thar Energy Limited achieved their respective COD on 17th Feb'23 and 1st Oct'22 respectively. The Company aims at expanding its operations in oil & gas exploration, water desalination and renewable energy through this strategic investment. HUBCO completed the acquisition of Eni's business in Pakistan, through a 50:50 joint venture company, Prime International Oil & Gas Co. Generation from Hub plant generation has declined over the reporting period with 9MFY23 Net Electrical Output recorded at 205GWh (9MFY22: 863 GWh) with a load factor of 2.6%. The fall in generation represents lower demand from CPPA-G as a result of governments increasing preference for most cost-effective power generation options. During the nine-month period ended on Mar'23, the Company reported topline revenue of PKR ~35bln (Mar'22: PKR ~42bln). The Company’s profitability is supplemented from dividend from subsidiaries and income from management services provided to TEL and TNPTL accumulating to PKR 10,339mln for the nine-month period ended on March 2023. Although HUBCO has a moderately leveraged structure to support its working capital requirements and investments in subsidiaries, but its strong cash flows and group’s financial strength are robust to provide any assistance to the Company.
Hubco's strong operational performance over the years coupled with its diversified investment portfolio in the power sector contributes towards to the assigned ratings.

About the Entity
Hubco, a listed company, was incorporated in 1991. Mega Conglomerate being the largest shareholder holds 19.5% of the total ownership. while the remaining shareholding of Hubco resides with Financial Institutions (12.2%), Modarabas and Mutual Funds (11.1%), and Individuals (24.3%). The company has made sizeable investments in the power sector including power generation, oil & gas exploration, operations & maintenance services and coal mining. The BoD comprises of 3 nominees from Mega Conglomerate, 1 nominee each of NIT, Fauji Foundation and Government of Balochistan along with 2 Independent directors. Mr. Kamran Kamal is the CEO of the company. He is accompanied by a team of qualified individuals heading the respective divisions in the company.

About the Instrument
Hubco issued unsecured, privately placed short term sukuk of PKR 6bln to finance Company's working capital requirements of The Hub Power Company Limited. The instrument, having a tenor of six months, carries a profit rate of 6M KIBOR +30bps. Interest and principal will be paid in bullet at the time of maturity.

The primary function of PACRA is to evaluate the capacity and willingness of an entity to honor its obligations. Our ratings reflect an independent, professional and impartial assessment of the risks associated with a particular instrument or an entity. PACRA's comprehensive offerings include instrument and entity credit ratings, insurer financial strength ratings, fund ratings, asset manager ratings and real estate gradings. PACRA opinion is not a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold a security, in as much as it does not comment on the security's market price or suitability for a particular investor.